8 types of capes & {How to make them}

Why should you wear a cape ? For some people this question is as banal as hearing why do you wear jeans ? Capes are the new shawls. They are effortless cover ups, casual fashion statements , great for layering, can even be worn as tops over a camisole. Need I say more?

Can you not see yourself wearing a casual top and jeans and a cape on top and end up looking like Elizabeth Taylor. Maybe not! but something close would not be so difficult.

Take 2 pieces of fabric length – 16 inch & width – the full width of your cloth ; Fold by the middle. Mark the following pattern. Cut out the two pieces for back and front with the pattern. Sew the sides and join. Stitch the neck and hem the bottom

The shoulder slope is a little tricky. You will have to trace the outline of a fitting top; and make a sloper.

3 Make a Knit cape with a hood

Because it is made in a knit fabric you donot have to do anything with the fabric edges, unless you specifically want to.

Make a hole in the middle of the 45 inch sqaure fabric as per the picture below. Join the 2 hood pieces at the side seams . You have a small tube now. Keep the shorter edge together with the opening in the main piece. Stitch with right sides together. Easy hooded cape

6 Simple blanket cape

7 A line Cape Pattern

The back pattern is one piece but the front pattern is in two parts.For the back pattern you need 40″ wide and 20 inch long piece. Fold by half and mark.

And for the front patterns you need two 20″ square fabric pieces.

Cut out the pieces and join at B-G for left and right front pieces to the back piece.

Bind the neckline/ Hem the edges with a rolled edge finish. You can add ribbon ties at F of the front patterns .

8 A Super hero Cape

This is the most common type of cape you see around – an unavoidable sewing project for mommies who make costumes for their kids.

You can make one for your kid with a velcro fastening with the following pattern.Take a fabric of length – measure length from shoulder to knee (or till ankle if you want ankle length cape)

To make super hero cape with a lining Just cut 2 pieces of the pattern on fold. Stitch together at the outer edge, right sides together. Leave a 2 inch opening for turning the cape inside out. Turn the whole thing inside out through the opening. Close the opening shut with hand stitching. You can paint or applique your super hero logo on the cape if you want to. Attach the velcro under the extended piece.